Business Digest Radio

Sports are part of Colorado Springs’ identity.
They’re also an increasingly important part of its economy.
I sat down with Megan Leatham, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, to talk about the business behind sports, from tourism and event recruitment to hotels, restaurants, venues, community investment and the economic impact created when athletes and spectators come to the Pikes Peak region.
We also look at what Colorado Springs must continue doing to compete nationally as a sports destination.
It’s a conversation about what happens beyond the scoreboard.
Engage your business with Sports Corp: https://coloradospringssports.org 
🎙️ The Business Signal | AM 740 KVOR. #MeganLeatham #COSSportsCorp #SportsEconomy #UFL #USL

What should Southern Colorado expect from the person it sends to Congress - and how much can one member of the U.S. House realistically accomplish for the region?
On this edition of The Business Signal, Dirk Hobbs sits down with Jessica Killin, Democratic candidate for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, for an extended conversation about the economy, affordability, national defense, federal spending and the role Washington plays in the future of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.
Killin discusses the experiences she believes prepare her for Congress, including her military service, private-sector work and time in Washington, while addressing what she sees as the most consequential issues facing families, employers and the broader Southern Colorado economy. She also addresses the negative ads that have been since taken down against her opponent, sitting Congressman, Jeff Crank (R). 
The conversation moves beyond campaign talking points to examine the practical questions facing the next representative from the 5th District: What can Congress actually do about rising household costs? How should the federal government approach spending and the national debt? What does effective representation look like for a community whose economy is deeply connected to the military, defense and aerospace sectors? And where should voters expect independence rather than party-line politics?
It’s a substantive candidate conversation designed to give voters a clearer understanding of Jessica Killin’s experience, priorities and approach to governing ahead of the 2026 election.

The business of news is changing rapidly and the consequences extend far beyond the media industry itself.
On this edition of The Business Signal, Dirk Hobbs speaks with journalist and Colorado College professor Corey Hutchins about the changing economics of journalism, the pressures facing local news organizations, and what those shifts mean for communities, businesses and civic life.
The conversation explores how consolidation, shrinking newsroom resources, changing consumer habits and new digital platforms have transformed the way news is produced and consumed. Hutchins also discusses the challenges of sustaining credible local journalism in an environment where audiences have more information available than ever, but often fewer professionally staffed newsrooms covering their communities.
The discussion also examines trust, media literacy, the role of journalism in holding institutions accountable, and why a strong local news ecosystem remains important to business leaders, policymakers and residents alike.
It’s a thoughtful look at the intersection of journalism, business and community and at what may be required to keep meaningful local reporting viable in the years ahead.
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/journalism-institute/ 
#TheBusinessSignal #LocalJournalism #ColoradoMedia #Journalism #MediaBusiness #ColoradoCollege #LocalNews #MediaLiteracy #BusinessNews #ColoradoSprings #SouthernColorado #ColoradoMediaGroup

Beyond the Music
What happens when entrepreneurship, music and community development come together?
On The Business Signal, Dirk Hobbs welcomes TerryJosiah Sharpe, founding partner of Colorado Springs-based Anthem Music Enterprises (AME), for a look at a creative enterprise working to connect independent artists with professional opportunities while using music as a vehicle for community engagement and mental wellness.
Founded in Colorado Springs, AME Industries has developed an ecosystem of recording, music production, artist development, live entertainment and youth education programs. Its approach reflects a broader opportunity for Southern Colorado: building a sustainable creative economy that develops local talent, supports entrepreneurship and creates meaningful community connections. Now, they are taking their mission into Denver as well.
The episode explores the business possibilities within arts and entertainment, the importance of investing in emerging creative professionals, and the role private enterprise can play in strengthening the region's cultural landscape.
The Business Signal: Bringing Southern Colorado's business stories, industry leaders and emerging opportunities into focus.
See Anthem Music Enterprises: https://ameindustries.com 

Economic headlines tell us what's happening. But understanding the numbers behind them can help business leaders make better decisions.
On The Business Signal, Dirk Hobbs welcomes Dr. Bill Craighead, Director of the UCCS Economic Forum, for a timely look at the economic forces shaping Colorado Springs and the broader Pikes Peak region.
REGISTRATION: https://business.uccs.edu/economic-forum 
With the 30th Annual UCCS Economic Forum approaching on October 28, this episode explores the value of regional economic intelligence for business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
From workforce and employment trends to housing, real estate, and the region's major industries, economic indicators offer important perspective on market conditions and future opportunities.
The upcoming Economic Forum will also examine regional economic development, the defense economy, and the future of travel and tourism.
Why attend - I'm just a small business. Because understanding the local economy isn't simply an academic exercise. It can help businesses evaluate opportunities, anticipate challenges, and plan more effectively.
 

The Business of the Arts: A Conversation with David Siegel
What role does the creative economy play in building a stronger, more competitive Colorado Springs?
On The Business Signal, Dirk Hobbs welcomes David Siegel, Executive Director of the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS, for a business-focused look at the intersection of arts, education, economic development, and community investment.
From operating professional performing arts programs within a university environment to developing the next generation of creative professionals, the Ent Center offers a compelling example of how arts organizations can contribute to regional vitality.
The conversation provides an opportunity to examine the business considerations facing cultural institutions, the importance of community partnerships, and the broader value of a thriving creative sector to Southern Colorado.
 
Visit TheatreWorks at: https://entcenterforthearts.org/theatreworks 

Colorado Springs is home to some of the nation's most innovative defense and technology companies, and Bluestaq is helping demonstrate the region's growing influence in secure data infrastructure, national security and enterprise technology.
Founded in 2018, Bluestaq has grown from a local startup into an international technology enterprise, developing sophisticated solutions that help defense, intelligence and commercial organizations securely access, manage and share mission-critical data.
With its recent expansion into commercial data infrastructure through BLUESTAQ /ARQ, the company is opening new opportunities to apply technology developed for demanding national security environments to challenges across other industries.
This episode of The Business Signal, presented by Virtuent of TSG Wealth Management, spotlights Bluestaq's growth with Geoffrey Carrigan, technological capabilities and place in Southern Colorado's expanding defense and innovation economy.
An important listen for business executives, entrepreneurs and industry leaders following the intersection of technology, national security and regional economic development.
Learn more about Bluestaq: https://bluestaq.com 
 

What separates high-performing individuals and organizations from the rest in your organization and leadership team?
On The Business Signal, Dirk Hobbs welcomes Colorado Springs-based executive coach, author and performance specialist Coach Charmas Lee for a conversation exploring the principles of leadership, team development and personal excellence.
With more than three decades of coaching experience spanning competitive athletics and the corporate world, Lee brings a distinctive perspective to the challenges facing today's business leaders.
An episode for executives, entrepreneurs and professionals interested in building stronger teams, developing leadership capabilities and creating a culture of sustained performance.
https://charmaslee.com 

Yes ... you read that right. Per day.  That seems a little exaggerated, right? Well, it's not. 
American workplace culture (and elsewhere) is ripe with documented evidence of acts of incivility between individuals and teams that in turn create lost productivity, lost creativity, distrust, disengagement, and even loss of personnel and intellectual property. 
So what's going on? That's what Lori Leander, co-founder of Reclaiming Civility unpacks in this hour of understanding why and how so much tolerance of misconduct and poor conflict resolution behavior is happening in our workplace and elsewhere. 
Learn about how unruly conflict effects the amygdala and typically results in prolonged and often unresolved issues that costs companies millions annually. 
The bright side: There is a way back! Learn about Reclaiming Civility's tools and training to help employees and leaders use the best and most applicable tools to grab control "upstream" for onsite events and how a well-handled conflict between adults can transform a company culture into a strong, well-oiled machine that breeds confidence, creativity, productivity and profits. 
https://reclaimingcivility.com

We've all heard the term, "use it or lose it".  The same is true about how airlines determine what gates - be they direct or a connection flight - go where and how many times a week. Low utilization equals fewer options. Higher utilization usually means those reliable gates can be counted on to be there year in and year out. 
Airline/Airport economics is a very complicated financial equation with numerous variables, and it all comes down to one simple rule: If consumers use it consistently, the gate will likely remain for as long as that data points to strong usage. Aviation Director, Alex Kovacs explains how the COS Airport is working diligently with recreational and business travelers in our regional catchment area of 1.2 million people, to think, FLYCOS first.  When you factor in all the variables: cost to drive and park at DIA, weather and traffic uncertainty (especially in winter months), the stress of being on time and not knowing the airport well, time through security, and more, traveling out of COS make sense to most who try it once, then come back again and again. The ease in which you can get in and out of the concourse and on your way is priceless - especially when you consider when you conclude travel at DIA, you still have significant drive time home to southern Colorado.  
Sometimes DIA is the only and best option. But most of the time, a quick connecting flight from COS to DIA allows you to be "in the system" and on your way knowing you will be coming home to southern Colorado - quick and easy. HTTPS://FLYCOS.com